The book surveys the development, construction, and operation of coastal beacons and floating light stations, explaining engineering methods used to erect towers on rock and sand, the design of lanterns and illuminants, and the apparatus and signals employed for navigation and fog warning. It presents case studies of notable shore and offshore stations worldwide to illustrate challenges overcome, describes innovations in automated and unattended lights, and outlines the equipment of lightships. The final chapters portray daily life and duties of keepers and the maintenance practices that sustain these safety systems.